Last updated: October 29, 2023
Place
Willow Beach Park
Photo/USACE
Quick Facts
Location:
11698 Blue Heron Parkway, Scott, the park is just minutes from Little Rock the state capitol.
Significance:
This site is on the original or "old" Arkansas River where the boats traveled during the Trail of Tears, not on the new navigation channel that is in use today for modern commerce. There are few places remaining where the old river can be accessed.
MANAGED BY:
"Run again til 5 1/2 pm when we again wooded & buried the girl child of Oasconish a Cherokee; who died this morning. Delay 1 1/2 hours." - Logbook of Lt. Joseph Harris, April 1834
Standing at the site facing the exhibit and the river you are most likely feeling a steady breeze on your face. This is from the large open area that surrounds you and the wide expanse across the water to the other bank which is over 1700 feet. At first it is quiet then gradually you notice the sounds of the small waves washing against the shore gently and the sound of insects singing in the background. Now you hear the songbirds as they call to each other and then suddenly the loud squawk of a great blue heron as it takes flight from the shallow water in front of you. As you settle back to your experience you feel the sun on your back and smell the freshness of the air and wonder if this what it was like when the Cherokee and other tribesmen were brought from their homelands up the river on flat boats to an unknown territory. The Trail of Tears exhibit recounts a day on the river in 1834, where the normal difficulties of water travel were mentioned, plus the sad note of the burial of a Cherokee child.
Willow Beach Park is located 101 miles by water from Indian Territory, the end of the Trail of Tears Water Route.
Site Information
Location (11698 Blue Heron Parkway, Scott, the park is just minutes from Little Rock the state capitol)
Amenities
21 Class A Campsites, Restrooms/Showers, Picnic Sites/Group Shelters, Playground, Boat Launch, Sightseeing, ADA accessible
Safety Considerations
More Site Information
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
Trail of Tears: Arkansas River Water Route Itinerary
You can visit multiple Water Route sites on the Arkansas River by following the Trail of Tears: Arkansas River Water Route Itinerary. Each site features one aspect or story about the Cherokee and Creek experience traveling the Trail of Tears by water, highlighting the challenges and complexities that arose daily on the Arkansas River.